"One-legged fighter" Luo Xiangjian. Photo courtesy of the interviewee.
China News Service, Beijing, July 23 (Xing Rui) Recently, a guy playing basketball on one leg in Kunming, Yunnan became popular on the Internet. He is called "one-legged fighter" by netizens, and his inspirational story has inspired countless teenagers who love basketball. The 26-year-old guy named Luo Xiangjian, after losing a leg in an accident, basketball became a bridge between his life and the outside world.
When he was 5 years old, Luo Xiangjian and his friends were playing together. A bomb left over from the war exploded unexpectedly. Luo Xiangjian lost his right leg forever. With the encouragement of his parents, he gradually walked out of the haze of the accident, and learned to stand and walk again.
After growing up, Luo Xiangjian is unwilling to recall the past too much, because there are more things in his life worthy of his energy and time.
Luo Xiangjian in the three-pointer contest. Photo courtesy of the interviewee.
From junior high school, Luo Xiangjian came into contact with basketball, and then fell in love with the sport out of control. Learning to play basketball is not easy for Luo Xiangjian. Because he can't stand on the court for too long, he falls down more than once: "But just stand up."
Slowly, Luo Xiangjian mastered the skills of single-leg playing. As he persisted on the field for longer and longer, Luo Xiangjian also had the dream of becoming a professional athlete. He longed for one day to stand on the big stage of the Olympic Games, wear the national flag and win glory for the country.
After school, Luo Xiangjian used crutches and went from elementary school to university. With a cheerful personality, he gets along well with his teachers and classmates, and is able to achieve what he has achieved today. Luo Xiangjian is very grateful to those who have helped him along the way.
Luo Xiangjian became the torchbearer of the Jakarta Asian Games. Photo courtesy of the interviewee.
After graduating from university, Luo Xiangjian entered a local company and engaged in management. Although he did not become a professional basketball player, Luo Xiangjian once participated in the 10th Yunnan Paralympic Games and won two gold medals in high jump and long jump.
In a national basketball competition, Luo Xiangjian also won the three-pointer game. Not only did he stand on the podium with one leg, but in 2018, he walked out of the country with one leg and became the torchbearer of the Jakarta Asian Games.
Whether in school or at work, Luo Xiangjian has always been synonymous with "positive energy". And he also wants to infect more people through his own story: "I want to pass on this sportsmanship no matter where I am. I want to pass on the belief of not giving up to those around me."
In his spare time, Luo Xiangjian often shares videos of playing basketball on social media, and also receives encouragement and blessings from everyone. Since childhood, Luo Xiangjian has been accompanied by basketball in his life. Now as soon as he has time, he will meet three or five friends and go to the court to sweat.
Luo Xiangjian meets Wade. Photo courtesy of the interviewee.
Luo Xiangjian said: “Basketball is like a bridge in my life. It builds a communication platform and also brings me a lot of strength.” Through basketball, Luo Xiangjian made more friends and he also met NBA star Wade. "He gave me an autograph and we hugged me. We were very happy at the time." Luo Xiangjian said excitedly. Wade also encouraged him to continue to stick to his basketball dream and to inspire more people.
Before this, the "one-armed boy" Zhang Jiacheng entered people's field of vision. Like Luo Xiangjian, he has an incomplete body, but their love of basketball has always been the same.
In July 2018, at a local summer children's basketball training class, the 12-year-old Zhang Jiacheng first came into contact with basketball and fell in love with the sport ever since.
From vigorously dribbling, to left and right dribbling, to the back and crotch dribbling... the place where Xiaojiacheng practiced, from the school playground to the village playground, and then to the living room at home.
After becoming popular, Zhang Jiacheng received encouragement and praise from a large number of netizens. The national men's basketball captain Yi Jianlian also reposted relevant news on his personal social media, and wrote: "The heart will always be the strongest part of the body." "Either work hard," Or give up", this is the motto of Zhangjiacheng.
Due to hard training day and night, Zhang Jiacheng’s left finger often bleeds due to wear and tear, covered with hemostatic stickers, but this does not hinder his enthusiasm for basketball. Generally, it only takes three months for him to practice a new ball with a fuzzy spherical pattern. Distinguish.
Zhang Jiacheng's deeds also attracted the attention of NBA star Curry.
In the recorded blessing video, he expressed his encouragement and support to Zhang Jiacheng: "I want to tell you that you are an inspiring force and you do not accept'no' as the answer. You have found a way to overcome difficulties and stand up. On the basketball court, I showed everyone what basketball means to you."
At an event, the two people who regarded basketball as their faith met, and they completed an empty match on the court. Zhang Jiacheng threw the ball upwards with a single arm, Luo Xiangjian jumped to the basket in time, jumped up with one foot, and sent the ball into the basket.
Tagore said: "The world kissed me with pain, but I replied with song." Whether it is Zhang Jiacheng or Luo Xiangjian, their optimism and strength convey their awe and love for life. It is not so much that basketball gives them strength, it is better to say that their brave spirit gives more meaning to the sport.
The past is dark and cannot be pursued, but the road to the future is bright. In the face of the future, Luo Xiangjian still has not let go of his basketball dream. He is eager to one day, through his own strength, let the children who love basketball gather together and enjoy the joy of basketball. (Finish)